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March 24, 2026
爱(愛)ài(ai4)
The character 爱 (ài) means 'to love' or 'to like' and conveys a deep sense of affection or fondness. It is commonly used in both romantic and platonic contexts, making it a versatile term in expressing emotions toward people, things, or activities.
Strokes10Radical爫Frequency#138DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The concept of love in Chinese culture is often expressed through family ties and respect, reflecting the Confucian value of filial piety. Saying '我爱你' (wǒ ài nǐ) carries significant weight and is usually reserved for deep relationships.
Memory Tip
Think of 爱 as a heart (the radical) surrounded by the character for 'friend' (朋友). Imagine your friends gathering around your heart, signifying that you love them. The pronunciation 'ài' sounds like 'I', reminding you that love often begins with oneself.
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AI Study Notes for 爱
Quick Contrast
爱 (ài) vs 喜欢 (xǐhuān) — use 爱 for deeper, more intense feelings of love, while 喜欢 indicates a lighter, more casual liking.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 爱 as a heart (the radical) surrounded by the character for 'friend' (朋友). Imagine your friends gathering around your heart, signifying that you love them. The pronunciation 'ài' sounds like 'I', reminding you that love often begins with oneself.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 爱 with 喜欢 (xǐhuān), which means 'to like'; while both express fondness, 爱 is more intense. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversations, but be cautious when using it in formal settings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 爱 is foundational for expressing feelings. Students should practice using it in simple sentences and connect it with other basic verbs like 喜欢 (to like) and 想 (to want) to enhance their emotional vocabulary.
Cultural Note
The concept of love in Chinese culture is often expressed through family ties and respect, reflecting the Confucian value of filial piety. Saying '我爱你' (wǒ ài nǐ) carries significant weight and is usually reserved for deep relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 爱 in contexts where 喜欢 is more appropriate, such as saying '我爱这个电影' (wǒ ài zhège diànyǐng) instead of '我喜欢这个电影' (wǒ xǐhuān zhège diànyǐng) for 'I like this movie'. Remember that 爱 conveys a stronger emotion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 爱
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Grammar Patterns of 爱
爱 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I will return, find you, love you, marry you and live without shame.
3
我们从可靠的消息来源获知索尼娅非常爱自己的家人。
wǒ mén cóng kě kào de xiāo xī lái yuán huò zhī suǒ ní yà fēi cháng ài zì jǐ de jiā rén。
Sonia, we are reliably informed, loves her family very much.
4
那个节目将包括英格兰与爱尔兰比赛的实况报道。
nà gè jié mù jiāng bāo kuò yīng gé lán yǔ ài ěr lán bǐ sài de shí kuàng bào dào。
That programme will include live commentary on the England-Ireland game.
5
你可以跟着一起唱你最喜爱的“猫王”的热门歌曲。
nǐ kě yǐ gēn zháo yī qǐ chàng nǐ zuì xǐ ài de“ “ māo” wáng ” de rè mén。
You can sing along to your favourite Elvis hits.
6
亲爱的内维尔，我真太为你高兴了。
qīn ài de nèi wéi ěr， ， wǒ zhēn tài wéi nǐ gāo xīng。
Darling Neville, I couldn't be more pleased for you.
7
你认为自己深受民众喜爱吗？
nǐ rèn wéi zì jǐ shēn shòu mín zhòng xǐ ài ma？
Do you have the sense that you are loved by the public?
8
拨打09064748000，为你最喜爱的歌投上一票。
bō dǎ09064748000， 09064748000， wéi nǐ zuì xǐ ài de gē tóu shàng yī。
Vote for your fave song by dialing 0906 474
9
正如1892年剧本的副标题所强调的，《凯瑟琳》是一部“爱尔兰戏剧”。
zhèng rú1892 1892 nián jù běn de fù biāo tí suǒ qiáng tiáo，《 de ，《 kǎi》 sè lín 》“ shì yī bù “ ài”。
"Kathleen" was, as its 1892 subtitle asserted, "An Irish Drama".
10
他那本带有精美插图的书见证了他对大学的热爱。
tā nà běn dài yǒu jīng měi chā tú de shū jiàn zhèng le tā duì dà xué de rè ài。
His beautifully illustrated book well attested his love of the university.
Cultural Notes for 爱
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of love in Chinese culture is often expressed through family ties and respect, reflecting the Confucian value of filial piety. Saying '我爱你' (wǒ ài nǐ) carries significant weight and is usually reserved for deep relationships.
Word Family of 爱
Compounds10
暧ai4(of daylight) dim
嗳ai1interjection indicating regret
僾
叆
嫒ai4one's daughter (honorific)
瑷ai4fine jade
噯ai1interjection indicating regret
嬡
懓
閿
Words Containing This Character20
爱àito love愛
亲爱qīnàidear親愛
可爱kě’àiadorable可愛
爱情àiqíngromance愛情
恋爱liàn’ài(romantic) love戀愛
爱上to fall in love with愛上
爱心àixīncompassion愛心
热爱rè’àito adore熱愛
喜爱xǐ’àito like喜愛
爱人àirenspouse (PRC)愛人
爱好àihàoto like愛好
做爱to make love做愛
相爱to love each other相愛
爱尔兰Ireland愛爾蘭
爱国àiguópatriotic愛國
性爱sex性愛
爱好者amateur愛好者
关爱guān’àito show concern and care for關愛
心爱xīn’àibeloved心愛
爱护àihùto cherish愛護
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 暧 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 爱
No, 爱 can express affection for family, friends, and even interests. It's a broad term for love.
You can say '我爱你' (wǒ ài nǐ) for 'I love you' or '我爱吃水果' (wǒ ài chī shuǐguǒ) for 'I love eating fruit'.
While 爱 is generally informal, it can be used in formal contexts but be aware of the audience and the relationship.
